Village Manager Paul McCarthy used the news about a serious fire at the Dragon Inn North to proclaim the success of Glenview’s new emergency dispatch center, which began full operations December 17. Early the next morning, someone called 911 from a cell phone to report smoke pouring from the restaurant at 1650 Waukegan Road.

McCarthy said a fire in Wheeling – also served by the new dispatch center – was reported at 12:33 a.m. The fire chief of that community "was very complimentary," McCarthy said. "He believes significant time was saved in the fire last night."

The manager boasted that an official with the Illinois Commerce Commission, Rick Gasparin, had toured the new facility. "He was very interested in seeing this unique center – the only fire EMS unit serving as a primary answering point for wireless 911 in this state."

The new communications center was set up after Glenview decided to drop out of a regional emergency dispatch service called RED Center. Village management was unwilling to share equally in decision-making with other communities in the group – Northbrook, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Niles, Morton Grove, Highwood, North Maine and Prospect Heights.

People hearing McCarthy’s remarks last week might well have assumed that Glenview’s new center is quite special, but when The Watch asked state official Gasparin if, in fact, the new dispatch operation was "unique or unusual," he answered in a word – "No." Is it significant that our fire department handles this service? Again, Gasparin replied in the negative.

And what about Wheeling? Did the fire trucks really get to a vacant house at 231 Milwaukee faster because of the new dispatch center? Knowledgeable sources tell the Watch that the response time may actually have been slowed because Glenview dispatchers didn’t realize the blaze was in Wheeling. The caller had mentioned the 200-block of Milwaukee Avenue, and the dispatchers sent a Glenview fire truck in search of the 200-block of Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview. When the fire truck was unable to find that address, the dispatchers realized their error and called Wheeling’s fire department.

How could such a thing happen? Sources tell The Watch that the senior dispatchers who had served Glenview through the RED Center opted to stay with that organization. Only one man with more than a year of experience is now on staff at the Glenview dispatch center, and he plans to retire this spring.

Glenview’s new emergency center also discovered a technical problem early Tuesday. When the Wheeling shift commander saw flames coming from the house on Milwaukee, he asked that all off-duty Wheeling firemen be paged, but dispatchers in Glenview said they didn’t have the equipment needed to do that. RED Center – the operation we abandoned – had that capability and RED dispatchers who were monitoring the conversation offered to send the page.

Meanwhile, sources in the police department report another unfortunate oversight. They used to monitor RED Center transmissions on their squad car radios for valuable information about community emergencies, but they can’t get the frequency that carries communications from the new Glenview center until all of the radios are reprogrammed. That is expected to happen over the next two years at a cost of about $1,500.

CARLSON DETERMINED TO CHANGE ETHICS ORDINANCE

Village President Larry Carlson began last week’s meeting of the trustees by calling for a change in local laws governing who can serve on village boards and commissions. "We have an extremely strict ethics ordinance and properly so. However, I think there’s one item in there that needs to be changed, amended or deleted," he said.

The rule in question was imposed about two years ago after then President Nancy Firfer surprised the board by nominating Jacques Gourguechon to the Environmental Review Commission – a post that would pay him his hourly rate. Gourguechon is a land planner who, at the time, was representing Belmont Village before the Plan Commission. The Texas firm wanted to build an assisted living center near the corner of Shermer and Golf. Gourguechon had also done a fair amount of work for the Village of Glenview.

The trustees approved Gourguechon without much discussion but later changed the ethics ordinance to prohibit individuals from sitting on Glenview boards and commissions if they work for companies or belong to groups that appear before Glenview boards or commissions. Gourguechon resigned.

Now, however, Carlson fears the rule could keep talented people from serving the village. He cited the case of Allstate attorney John Hedrick, who is on Glenview’s Appearance Commission. If Allstate were to appear before our plan commission or village board, Carlson said Hedrick would have to quit.

Village Attorney Jeff Randall was asked to write some alternative versions of the ethics ordinance. One simply eliminated the prohibition, while another said people could not serve on village panels if their employers appeared before a Glenview board or commission to discuss more than three matters during a given year. Trustees Pappo and Guinane said they had just gotten copies of the proposals and wanted time to review them. They agreed that it would be better to wait until Trustee Rachel Cook, still on maternity leave, returned in January.

Trustee John Crawford didn’t like either of the alternatives proposed by Randall and suggested that the real issue is ownership. If a person had an interest of more than 25% in a company or group that appeared before a village panel, then Crawford thought maybe he or she should be disqualified from serving on a Glenview board or commission. Crawford proposed to wait until January for a vote. "We haven’t had a problem over the past two years," he reasoned.

But President Carlson was in a hurry. "We’ve got some very professional, dedicated volunteer Glenview residents who are on these commissions, and I don’t want to take a chance of anything happening where they would be forced to resign. . .I don’t want to see this sword hanging over their head."

Trustee Jeff Lerner was also anxious to make an immediate change in the ordinance. "It could mean that if I belong to a charity, and it wished to come before the village to seek a contribution, I would be required to resign." Why not vote tonight, he argued. "This isn’t rocket science."

Trustee Mary Beth Denefe echoed that sentiment: "I frankly don’t think that it’s that complicated," she said. "I’d like to move forward." Pappo, Crawford and Guinane were firm in wanting a delay, but Carlson pressed for some decision. "We can talk some of these issues to death," he said. "I don’t think this is that complicated an issue for, uh, people of the caliber of ourselves."

GENTLEMAN JOHN OFFERS A COMPROMISE

The trustees voted on a motion to delay changes in the ethics ordinance. Pappo, Guinane and Crawford favored the idea. Lerner, Denefe and Carlson opposed it. Carlson again pleaded for passage, and Crawford said he would be willing to approve the modified rule on first reading, with a second vote needed to become law. Crawford said he would be back in January with his own proposal.

All of the trustees but Pappo voted to allow a person to serve unless he works for a company or belongs to a group that appears before a village board or commission on more than three matters per year.

Carlson said he would direct the village manager not to include anything on any agenda that might force anyone to resign before the board took a final vote on this matter. "I’m not gonna’ have somebody booted off a commission," he said.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ETHICS

During the debate, Trustee Jeff Lerner argued that Glenview’s ethics ordinance was tougher than those of Chicago and Cook County, and with regard to the provision described above, he might be right. Under the current ordinance as interpreted by Carlson, Lerner – who remained on the Northfield Township High School District 225 Board while serving on the Glenview Village Board, should have resigned when Glenbrook appeared to discuss plans for its new addition. Zoning Board and Glen Redevelopment Commission member Mary Novotny – an executive with the Glenview State Bank – should have been gone when her company appeared to discuss plans for its new building at The Glen, and Appearance Commissioner Mark Igleski should have quit when his architectural firm won a $7,000 contract to research and document the condition of Hangar One.

On the other hand, statements of economic interest on file at Village Hall suggest other parts of our ordinance aren’t all that tough. The form requires board members and commissioners to disclose professional services they provide, property they own that might be subject to annexation or re-zoning, gifts that might be relevant to their public service and any business they may have with the village. Of 61 people required to report, fewer than one third listed anything at all. Some didn’t even bother to give their address.

A number of members said their companies provide legal, architectural or engineering services. Bruce Burch, an architect on the Appearance Commission, lists his rental property in Glenview. His residence is in Mundelein, Illinois. Village Trustee Rachel Cook disclosed that her husband develops public safety software for Motorola, a product available to Glenview’s police and fire departments. Trustee John Crawford listed a series of stocks on which he had realized capital gains of $5,000 or more, and Ginnie Mock, who sits on the Forestry Commission, confessed that she is a Republican election judge.

LARRY’S CHOICE

The ethics vote behind him, President Carlson announced plans to appoint four new people to village panels. He proposed that Steve Bucklin replace the retiring Jack Bevington on Glenview’s Plan Commission. Like Carlson, Bucklin is a life-long village resident who works in the family business – a private security firm. "I’ve known Steve for 10 or 15 years now," said Carlson in making the introduction. "I know him to be a man of perception and common sense. . .Mr Bucklin is here in the audience if anyone has any questions."

Donna Pappo said she was not prepared to ask questions since she had not yet seen a resume and only learned of the planned appointment on Sunday night. Again noting that Trustee Rachel Cook would be back from maternity leave in January, she moved for a delay in this "very important choice." Pappo said Cook had specifically asked Carlson and the other board members to hold off until her return, and "I just think it’s the minimum amount of respect that she deserves."

Carlson said he had mentioned Bucklin some weeks ago during an executive session, and he thought waiting was risky. "As good as our attendance is here, one other member might be out of town or ill at our next meeting."

Trustee Crawford gently scolded President Carlson for failing to consult the board members privately before calling for a public debate. "It’s best for the board, best for the village and best for the individual involved, before making the appointment, to discuss it in executive session," he said.

Trustee Guinane agreed with Crawford and Pappo that a delay was in order "out of respect to Trustee Cook. . .I would hope that if I were to be absent and I had requested a continuance on a certain item that the professional courtesy would have been extended to me also."

Carlson again repeated his desire to vote immediately, and Trustee Denefe added an indignant comment: "I would state for the record that if, in fact, Trustee Cook is returning in January, it’s certainly something that I was not formally aware of, although it’s been bandied about that she may be returning after the holidays, I had never been advised that there was, in fact, a firm date for her return. If she appears at the next meeting in January, I would certainly welcome her back, but frankly I hadn’t heard until tonight that she was formally intending upon returning – that, in fact, her maternity leave would be concluded at that point."

Editor’s note: Cook had said from the outset that her maternity leave would last until year’s end – that she would be back after the first of January. There is no requirement that Cook formally notify Trustee Denefe of her plans, and we are at a loss to explain Denefe’s statement. 

FRUSTRATION AND HUMILIATION UNDER THE BIG TOP

Last but not least, Trustee Jeff Lerner spoke: "It seems to me that the essence of a board is the equality of its members, and if one member, for whatever reason, is unable to be here, then if we defer on any issue as a result of that, then it not only gives more importance to that member, but it now says that government may run by the power of one."

The wisdom of those words must have eluded Crawford, Guinane and Pappo who voted to delay Bucklin’s confirmation. Again, Carlson, Denefe and Lerner lined up on the other side and the motion failed. In an effort to break the deadlock, Carlson called Bucklin to the public podium. "Tell us about yourself," he said.

Bucklin said he had served as chairman of the United Way and the Chamber of Commerce.

He has been a member of the Optimists Club for 20 years and served on the Appearance Commission for six years. "I think I can bring value to the Planning Commission, simply by bringing common sense, knowing the issues in the village, and as a resident and business owner, looking out for what’s best for this village," he said.

"Very good," said Carlson. "I think you answered all the questions that would be on a resume. Thank you, Steve." He then turned to the board and called for a motion to approve the appointment. Denefe obliged with a second from Lerner.

Crawford tried to caution Carlson. "The last two motions failed because of a tie vote. The code provides that your appointments are subject to approval by the board. If the same three people vote no on this, your motion to approve him will fail."

Carlson pressed on, and Crawford proved correct. "I’m afraid the motion fails," said Carlson. "Mr. Bucklin, I’m sorry if that caused you any difficulty. . .We have three other people who have volunteered to serve this community. I guess I will ask the board what their wishes are."

"Don’t make this a circus," muttered one member of the board. "I"m not going to make it a circus," Carlson replied. "I"m asking if you would like to discuss the other applicants." Crawford said he would prefer to hold off, and Carlson finally gave up. Lerner closed the show with a dark warning. "It seems to me that when you have competent, qualified people who are long-term residents of this village and wish to donate their time, we ought to recognize that and accept that. We are now telling people that we will decide in whatever manner we so choose if and when we will accept the voluntariness of their services, and I would venture to guess that a good majority of qualified people will now no longer grace us with volunteering."

Editor’s note: With all due respect, that’s ridiculous. Dozens of people have expressed interest in serving on village boards and commissions, but President Carlson picked his pals. He cites lifelong residency in Glenview as one of Bucklin’s credentials, but we are not impressed. Candidates who have traveled and lived in other places could bring new ideas and fresh solutions to our community. Carlson also said Bucklin "knows some of the problems that we face." Right. Just about everyone in Glenview does. The question is, what answers has he offered?

Bucklin gave $1,250 to Carlson’s election, took part in a fund-raising golf outing even before the campaign began, and contributed $500 to the Booster’s Association that backed Carlson. "He’s always good for financial support and comes to the victory parties, but not much else," one political insider told The Watch.

Alan Ruter, being nominated to the Appearance Commission, served on the Unite Glenview committee that picked Mr. Carlson. Ruter is an English teacher by trade with no planning, architectural or landscaping expertise. Jim Carroll also contributed to the Unite Glenview campaign, but we know nothing about him or about Ellen Bailey Dickson – Carlson’s nominees to other committees. That’s because the village president didn’t submit their resumes for inclusion in the information packet available at Glenview’s library before each board meeting. The public deserves to know who is being appointed to village boards and commissions beforehand so they can share their feelings with Glenview Trustees and, in so doing, participate in the Democratic process. Carlson’s behavior, like that of his predecessors Nancy Firfer and Jim Smirles, is elitist, secretive and insulting to the voting public.

WHEN THE PARTY’S OVER

Toward the end of the trustees' meeting, Zoning Board Chairman Ty Laurie came into the room. Laurie was active in the Unite Glenview party, which raised $70,000 to help elect Carlson, Denefe, Lerner and Trustee Mike Guinane. During the campaign, UG touted Guinane’s independence and used him to try and prove that the party was not related to old guard politicians, like Jim Smirles. Now, however, Guinane may be too independent for UG’s liking – siding with Pappo and Crawford in voting to delay consideration of Carlson’s nominees.

As the meeting adjourned, Laurie approached Guinane and engaged him in an animated conversation. Guinane was at first jovial: "Hey, Ty. How are you?" he said. Glenview TV’s microphones did not pick-up Laurie’s response. A few seconds later Guinane said, "Grow up, Ty," adding after a brief pause, "Watch my back?"

SWINGSET SALVATION AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

At the urging of Trustee Donna Pappo, the village board has voted to ask the Plan Commission to review an ordinance that could force many Glen residents to move backyard play sets closer to their homes. While the matter is being considered, no families will be fined for violations of the building code.

Developer James Metropulos finally won village board approval for his project on Harlem Avenue south of Dewes. He proposed three town homes, down from four, and said the new design provided 25 percent more open space. Trustees Guinane and Pappo opposed the plan saying it was still too dense.

Prestige Auto Leasing was turned away – refused permission to expand its used car lot on Waukegan Road across from Village Hall. Car dealers aren’t supposed to be in that area under current zoning, but some years ago Prestige got special permission to do business. Now, several trustees felt it would be a mistake to allow expansion of the so-called conditional use.

A needy local family is searching for bunk beds for their two little boys. Can you help? Send an e-mail to glenviewwatch@aol.com.

Russ and Diane report that a tabby cat with a brown/black mix of fur has arrived at their doorstep near Willowbrook School. The animal is older, friendly, declawed and appears to be an indoor cat. They’ve called Glenview police, animal control and the Glen Oak Cat Hospital but have yet to find the owners. Can you help? Would you like to adopt this homeless cat for the holidays and beyond? Send us an e-mail.

READERS WRITE

DR thinks the Park District should take a more humane position with regard to Bart and other aging members of the Wagner Farm herd: "Wagner Farm was a private enterprise when its owners practiced culling, and I don’t agree with Park District Executive Director Tom Richardson when he says the public ‘has to understand.’ Does the park district understand that they work for us, the taxpayers? We don't work for them, and we do not have to understand their decisions, or necessarily accept them. The farm is not a private enterprise any longer, and certainly not a private enterprise of the park district. The taxpayers support the farm, along with the salaries of those involved with the farm and the park district, and we should have input as to how it is operated. I do not want the park district making money by selling Bart and some of the cows for hamburger. How will officials explain culling to school children? Will they tell kids that the nice cows they are petting will perhaps become part of a school district lunch? If more humane options are not explored, I will be using my vote to cull members of the park district board. Has Glenview ever been subjected to a demonstration by animal rights activists? If not, the time has come. See you at the next park board meeting – 7 p.m.Thursday, January 17 at Park Center!"

BM agrees: "Just five days before Christmas we learn that Bart the Bull, storied Glenview bovine and Wagner Farm icon, will be put up for auction in April and purchased by a meat packer. The Glenview Park District seems insensitive to taxpayers with such callous and numbing moves. After all, Bart received a groundswell of public support last spring, and his name and image appeared on T_shirts and sweatshirts this summer at Wagner Farm. This beloved and famous bull is Glenview's own, and while perhaps aged, deserves better than what the park district has planned. Let's not get carried away with this ‘working farm’ idea. It will never turn a profit and is primarily for residents to see an historic farm as was run by the Wagner family for almost 100 years. The White House symbolic gesture of reprieving a Tom turkey at Thanksgiving should be noted by our park board. Members should sharpen their public relations instincts and spare our folk hero. Bart is not just any bull. He should be ‘culled’ to a farm animal sanctuary where he can roam and graze, or as the lady quoted in the Tribune article suggested, we taxpayers may just decide to ‘cull’ the politicians who sentenced Bart to the slaughterhouse. Perhaps that group called COWS should step forward and rescue Bart."

Parks’ Commissioner Chris Warren writes to set the record straight: "At no time were Bart's ‘amorous antics’ considered by the Wagner Farm Steering Committee as a reason for removing Bart from the farm. That comment was made by steering committee members as a humorous aside. The original motion was made by several members of the steering committee who have farm experience and were concerned about the safety of Bart and the general public. Unfortunately, it was a slow news week and the story was picked up by something like 70 tv, radio and newspaper outlets, with MSNBC logging over 2,200 responses to it's online poll asking if Bart should be allowed to stay on the farm. The steering committee reconsidered the issue and concluded that with proper planning, a safe enclosure could be designed . While the urban legend of Bart the Bull may have earned him slightly more than his 15 minutes of fame, I believe most members of the steering committee would rather be remembered for the concern and care they put into designing a safe and secure farm for both the animals and the people who come to visit them. Commissioner Cathy Crowley and I are grateful to all volunteers who worked to develop the master plan for Wagner Farm."

Fred Bjorling is still wondering about the idea of bringing cows to school: "Does it cost more to haul a cow to a school or to haul the students to see the cow? I admit to prejudice against hauling the cow around, but maybe economics is a part of the thing, or maybe the idea was linked to a disturbing cultural goal – to make everything effortless for the pampered youth of our time. Humans should have to visit animals, domestic or wild, on their own turf. (I wonder if ole Bart is as much a curmudgeon as I.)"

And Lady Jean finds parallels between Wagner Farm and Village Hall: "How about a little more culling, beginning with the STEERing committee and MOOving swiftly to the village government? It seems Bart has more sense than most of our esteemed leaders. As to what kind of car the village manager should drive, how about his own! Providing cars to village personnel is a big waste of money that could be spent on more worthwhile items, like muzzles for those who speak out in public without thinking."

The Watch replies: Trustees Crawford, Pappo and Guinane may move to terminate this perk, but it’s common practice for communities to provide cars to their top municipal workers, in part because people like Manager McCarthy are expected to be available 24/7 to investigate and fix problems around town. Recruiting quality people could be more difficult if Northbrook, Wilmette and Skokie are offering free cars, gas, insurance and maintenance while Glenview is not. Crawford has asked village staff to check into the situation and report back in the new year.

BC recently tried to reach our elected public officials but found it wasn’t easy to get an answer: "I e-mailed or left a voice message for all seven trustees one week ago. Only Jeff Lerner bothered to reply, and he couldn't answer the basic question: Why does Village Manager Paul McCarthy need such a large car? What happened to their responsibility to respond to citizen concerns?"

Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade replies to a reader report of street lighting out and holiday decorations dark at the intersection of Lake and Waukegan: "Edison is presently making repairs to the Waukegan lights south of Dewes. They’ll work on the lights north of Lake after they complete that job. The holiday decorations on those lights are not lighted because the poles do not have electrical receptacles. They’re an older vintage and weren’t designed for that function."

The Hagedorn family writes about the "swingset police" at The Glen: "It is interesting that you reference two families in The Glen who had to go before the Plan Commission because their swing set placement did not comply with village code. Are you aware that over 90% of all swing sets in Glenview are non-compliant? Furthermore, unlike other areas in Glenview that have parks with children's swings, the "elaborate and expensive" Little Bear Park does not have one set of children's swings or playground equipment for kids over the age of 4. This is why we built a standard swing set in our backyard as have many of our friends and neighbors.

And JL adds: "As a Glen resident, owner of a play yard, and parent of young children, I must respond to your story and editor’s note. You question why parents at the Glen would want play yards when there is a large park close by, and suggest that these back yard fixtures conflict with the new urbanism – community-building ideals on which the Glen was developed. In fact, a strong sense of community is alive and well at The Glen. Since we moved in last May, play groups, book clubs, movie nights, picnics, a huge block party, Halloween and Christmas parties have all been organized. So why do we have play yards? Because we have young children who nap. We are home in the afternoons with older children who want to play. We have yards to tend, houses to clean. We provide a range of toys and activities for our children so that they are occupied and we can work. Our play yard does not replace the playgrounds in Glenview. It serves a completely different purpose. The village did a wonderful job in creating a vision for The Glen and should be congratulated, but it is time for them to recognize that the people living here have visions of their own for their houses and are willing to work within reasonable guidelines established by the neighborhood associations in order to turn these houses into homes."

The Watch replies: Precisely. We did not mean to suggest that there’s anything wrong with back yard play sets – only that planners and the amenities they provide can’t change the way that people want to live. Like you, we hope the village can be flexible in regulating the way that you and your neighbors use your yards.

And reader Eugene Finerman – our resident historian – writes from his sick bed: "My doctor has diagnosed my condition as viral asthma and predicted a siege of six weeks. While describing my malady, I inadvertently called it "virile" asthma. Now that would be an interesting disease. My lungs would drink beer and go to stockcar races while the rest of my body stays home and reads The New York Times."

The Watch replies: Thanks for the laugh, Mr. Finerman. We wish you a speedy recovery! And to the rest of our readers, a happy, healthy holiday. Drop us a line with your thoughts on the year gone by and the year ahead. Our address: glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview 60025. You can also send non-deductible contributions to that address to help with the costs of our website, weekly mailings and free copies of The Watch at Glenview’s library. Thanks for giving, thanks for reading!  Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors of The Watch.

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